LA MIRADA, Calif. – The FPU men's water polo team (1-11, 0-4 WWPA) returned to Western Water Polo Association play on Thursday, going down 16-12 to Biola (8-13, 1-4 WWPA).

Pietro Cattano got things started for the Sunbirds with two goals, but the Eagles were able to get both back to tie the game 2-2 with five minutes to go in the opening period.

Forrest Gray was able to regain the lead for FPU, but back-to-back goals from Biola gave them a 4-3 lead heading into the second quarter.

To start the second period, Eugenio Maldonado carried over his hot weekend to today with a goal to tie things up 4-4, but the Eagles re-gained the lead less than a minute later. Back-to-back goals from Cattano and Christian Clark moved FPU out in front 6-5, but a goal from Biola with just over two minutes to go in the half, followed by a goal inside of 12 seconds left before the break gave the home team a 7-6 lead.

The Sunbirds had a strong third quarter, outscoring the Eagles 3-2 with goals coming from Maldonado, Thilo Popp and William Green, which sent the game into the final period tied 9-9.

With the game tied, the Eagles came out strong to start the final eight minutes, scoring three quick goals to go up 12-9. Cattano answered with his fourth goal of the game to make it 12-10, but any time the Sunbirds scored, Biola had an answer to keep them from gaining momentum.

Green and Maldonado were both able to add a goal in the final period, but Biola was able to hang on for its first WWPA win of the season.

The Sunbirds will be back in action over the weekend when they participate in the Lancer Invite in Riverside. It starts on Friday when they face off against UC Santa Barbara at 9 a.m., followed by a matchup with the hosts from Cal Baptist at 2:20 p.m.

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